Made in Hollywood

"Freedom!"

On the TV, William Wallace, like a savage, burst into a heart-shattering cry. This slogan is the most popular in North America, but it did not resonate with several young people sitting in front of the TV. Among them, some The two pouted in disdain.

"Everyone knows the importance of freedom, and his voice is really loud."

The young man named Christensen was disdainful of the trailer broadcast on TV. "What could be more ridiculous than a traitor and a whistleblower shouting freedom?"

"Yes, I read the reports in the media, and especially went to the library to check the materials."

The person wearing glasses was Evans, and he slightly accentuated his tone, "Many historical data show that William Wallace is a disgraceful figure and a traitor!"

"I hate this kind of traitor the most!" Someone echoed.

As the Hollywood movie expresses, whistleblowers for whatever reason never end well. In the mainstream culture of this land, traitors and whistleblowers are deeply hated.

A few people switched to ABC TV. Unlike the movie trailer just now, this is a historical analysis program, which introduces a piece of history in Scotland in the Middle Ages. It focuses on William Wallace, who is of course not in history. What a positive role.

In particular, the TV station also invited experts.

"See? This is Professor Smith at Yale who specializes in British history." Evans, with glasses, seemed to know the man. "He's an authority in academia, did you hear what he said? William Wallace was traitor!"

"Who cares who William Wallace is!"

Atkinson, who had not spoken, turned off the TV and said carelessly, "What does the history of those Europeans care about us! Fuck his William Wallace!"

"Yeah, yeah," Christensen agreed. "We weren't going to see a movie about Europeans anyway."

Not too far from them, a family was sitting around the TV watching a program on Viacom's CBS network.

"Although "Saving Private Ryan" was rated R by the MPAA, the National Federation of Teachers and Parents urges parents across the United States not to take your children who are not yet adults to watch this film, which contains bloody and cruel scenes..."

The TV show was still playing, and the host, Tyrese, turned to look at his wife, "Honey, this film is not suitable for our family to watch together."

Before his wife spoke, his seventeen-year-old son, Tyrese Jr., said in dissatisfaction, "Dad, this is a Duke Rosenberg movie! It's a wonderful guarantee! Think of last year's "Independence Day"... …”

"Sorry," Tyrese shook his head directly, "Judging from the news released by the media, this film is not suitable for you!"

The media industry can guide public opinion, and the media can influence many people. Even in the era of the Internet explosion, this is still very obvious, not to mention the current era when the traditional media industry is prosperous.

The summer season has already kicked off, and the publicity work has entered the final sprint stage. Like all competing films, "Braveheart" and "Saving Private Ryan" continue to discredit their competitors while promoting themselves. , in order to win more potential audiences.

One thing no one can deny is that the middle- and low-income class is the main box office force of Hollywood movies, even if movies are relatively cheap entertainment, in this country with serious overdrafts, even the middle class, the entertainment budget allocated every month There are also quotas, and many people have watched one movie at the same time and may not watch another.

The audience who walks into the competitor's theater is the box office number they lose.

Competition is also much more than publicity.

As ICM's chief film expert, Lynch has been receiving calls from several companies since he attended the previews of "Braveheart" and "Saving Private Ryan". "Braveheart" strives for more theaters, while squeezing the release size of "Saving Private Ryan", and Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox have the same goal, only squeezing rival "Braveheart" ".

"Lynch, where do you think our resources should be tilted?"

Sitting opposite Lynch is the head of AMG's distribution department, who has a heavyweight voice in the distribution of theaters. "Both sides are now putting pressure on us."

"Paul, we don't talk about the subject matter or the appeal of the actors."

On issues directly related to his future earnings, Lynch did not hesitate, "Just talk about the director! What did Duke Rosenberg do in the past three summers? And what about Mel Gibson? I believe you are better than me. I know more about the importance of the director to the film!"

Paul thought for a moment and nodded lightly. The resources of the theater chain are also limited. The two major productions will be released at the same time, so there must be a focus. Now the two films' test screening audience's reputation and the theater chain's viewing score are different. It's not particularly big, but the director's performance in the past is an excellent reference. Last year's "Independence Day" by Duke Rosenberg was a huge harvest for the theater chain.

Although he has only attended CAA's reception party, Paul can only say sorry when it comes to his position and performance, not to mention Duke Rosenberg's ICM has also specially held reception parties, and no one can say anything. Come.

The female models and actresses that CAA found at the party were very beautiful, but he was not tempted enough to lose his job. In fact, Paul knew very well that if he lost his job because of performance issues, he would have to say goodbye to these PR parties in the future. Now, beautiful women are everywhere, and they are not Sophie Marceau!

Having said that, the Sophie Marceau I saw at the party was really beautiful. No wonder she had to be called the love of French men by the European media. If...

Shaking his head, Paul gave up his idea. Famous actresses would not be easily manipulated by others, and it would be too difficult to approach them without substantial benefits.

Los Angeles, the city of angels, and the only Hollywood-based Paramount Pictures still in the region, is doing final pre-screening work for "Braveheart."

"Copy is in place."

"CAA said it will fully cooperate with our post-screening promotion plan..."

In the conference room, one good news after another was summed up to CEO Shelly Lansing, but the next words from the director of the distribution department cast a shadow over the conference room.

"Braveheart only has 2,203 theaters in the first weekend! The theater alliance refuses to invest more resources!"

Shelly Lansing's face was a little ugly, and she asked in a calm tone, "What about "Saving Private Ryan"?"

"2542!"

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the conference room became even more solemn. Before "Braveheart" was released, it was the first to lose.

"Also..." the distribution executive added, "We negotiated with various parties, but the British side is very firm. They do not agree that "Braveheart" will be launched in the British market in the near future."

"They are interfering in free commerce!" Someone said in an atmosphere.

Taking a cold look over there, the director of distribution added, "The UK side is not refusing the film's release, but delaying the release, which does not violate the commercial agreement between the UK and the US! Also, it is said that there is a number 10 Downing Street behind this incident. shadow!"

Just now that person obediently shut his mouth, although both sides belonged to the capitalist country, if No. 10 Downing Street wanted to secretly intervene, no one could ignore their power, and the subject matter of the film would surely make No. 10 Downing Street The bigwigs are very annoyed.

"Continuing PR in the UK, it is impossible for us to give up this important market." Shelley Lansing frowned tightly, "In North America, increase publicity efforts, as long as the film's box office performance is good enough, the follow-up cinemas will not be the same. question."

"What about Saving Private Ryan?"

"Continue to suppress, I will ask the group company for help and mobilize more resources." Shirley Lansing thought for a while, and said to the person in charge of the publicity and public relations department, "CAA did not formulate a plan for "Saving Private Ryan" Post-screening publicity plans? We support them.”

As long as it can lower the box office of "Saving Private Ryan", those competition methods are just trivial.

Similarly, if "Saving Private Ryan" wants to hit the box office, it must squeeze the space for other films in the same period, and the public relations department of 20th Century Fox is not idle.

Contacting the media theater chain, provoking the sensitive nerves of some people, borrowing the channels of News Corporation, secretly cooperating with the British side, using the hands and feet of overseas markets to disperse Paramount Pictures' publicity in North America and so on.

The number of North American theaters of "Braveheart" was firmly suppressed by "Saving Private Ryan", not only because of factors such as the subject matter, actors and directors, but also because of the fact that Paramount Pictures was scattered by the British side's public relations resources.

This ubiquitous competition shows the cruelty of the most important period in the North American film industry, the summer period.

Not only these, before the premiere is approaching, the two sides have premiered guests from the premiere theater, and they have had a confrontation either overtly or in the dark.

First, "Saving Private Ryan" broke out to hold its premiere at the Holy Citizen Auditorium, but Paramount Pictures stepped in and took away the right to use the theater for the day.

Then, the premiere guests, the stars of the two brokerage companies ICM and CAA, naturally became the first choice to be invited.

However, CAA has to face another fact. There are huge differences within them. Tom Hanks and Eno Martin have invited many CAA stars to help CAA's ostensible opponents...

The internal contradictions of CAA are gradually becoming public, and the competition between the two films has been fully publicized.

"Saving Private Ryan" has finally decided to hold its premiere at the Hollywood Chinese Theater. The two big summer productions are about to usher in the official confrontation moment. From film fans to film critics in North America, from the media to the Hollywood industry, they are all closely watching. this fierce competition.

Duke has never been afraid of competition. He is already ready to go, just waiting for the soldiers to break through all obstacles and board the beachhead of the North American Cinema.